Vt. regulator says health insurance rate hike highlights need for fundamental reform
WCAX
Health insurance rates are on the rise for thousands of Vermonters after state regulators earlier this week approved a rate hike for the state’s two major carriers. Officials say the double-digit increase should be a wake-up call for fundamental reforms in the health care system.
“It just really is impossible to try to get ahead and also take care of yourself when you can’t help that you get sick with something,” said Amy Morse of Milton, who in recent years sought treatment for Lyme disease and discovered some of the costs weren’t covered by insurance. “Even though I have really great insurance through my employer, I still had to incur $16-to-18,000 of medical treatment out-of-pocket that wasn’t covered by insurance. And it was just simple things as antibiotics that were a couple thousand a month.”
Morse wasn’t not alone. Fred Leswing had a similar bout with Lyme disease, paying for thousands of dollars worth of drugs that weren’t covered. “I just couldn’t believe it. I couldn’t imagine how someone who didn’t have the money could afford that. But they’re necessary drugs and they make it so expensive that it just drains your finances,” he said.